Art that Moves with Australian Wearable Art
The Sunshine Coast’s most alive and exhilarating form of art returns in July at a bold new location. Jodie Cameron discovers the 2026 Australian Wearable Art Festival…
When the lines between fashion and sculpture, theatre and design, imagination and engineering blur, art learns to move and becomes undeniably magical.
This July, that magic returns to the Sunshine Coast in spectacular style as the Australian Wearable Art Festival (AWAF) enters its sixth year – marking a bigger, bolder chapter and a more globally connected celebration than ever before. At its heart, the Festival remains grounded in the spirit of our region – innovative, sustainable and unapologetically original.
Expect an elevated, immersive experience perfectly suited to the drama, storytelling and WOW-factor moments it’s known for, as the Festival makes its debut at its new location the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort – promising another awe-inspiring spectacle that lingers long after the lights go down.
Festival Co-Founder and Curator Wendy Roe says the move allows the Festival to accommodate the artists with more space while elevating the entire audience experience.
“For the first time, we have the scale to match the ambition of the work with a purpose-built, u-shaped 40-metre runway, immersive environments, and space for audiences to step inside the world of wearable art,” Wendy says.
“From the moment guests arrive, they’ll feel encased in an artistic journey, whether they’re seated along the runway, engaging directly with artists, or discovering playful, imaginative experiences throughout the venue.”
The event has become a platform not just for established designers, but for emerging visionaries who see waste not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of something beautiful.
This year’s 34 finalists represent an extraordinary cross-section of talent, including 19 returning AWAF artists and 15 exhibiting for the first time including entries from as far away as Romania, USA, Indonesia and Poland.
From intricate works crafted from reclaimed materials to avant-garde silhouettes pushing the boundaries of engineering, these artists are storytellers, environmental advocates and designers all at once.
Sustainability remains a central thread, with many garments constructed from discarded plastics, natural fibres, recycled metals and everyday materials transformed into haute couture.
Among those celebrating the next chapter are 2025 Supreme Award winners Dan Draper and Evita Camilleri, known as Derby Cross, who have given new meaning to the humble cable tie. Their runway creations are nothing short of breathtaking, consistently wowing audiences they credit AWAF as a pivotal platform in their creative journey.
“It’s such a unique opportunity for artists and one of the first events to showcase our work,” Derby Cross says. “From our first showing in 2022 to winning the Supreme Award and then being recognised as finalists at World of WearableArt in New Zealand, AWAF has been instrumental in our growth.
“That trajectory simply wouldn’t have been possible without a festival creating space for artists to be seen and supported.”
After a few full years, 2026 is about consolidation for Derby Cross, who haven’t entered this year, instead focusing on new material directions and preparing entries for World of WearableArt in New Zealand and SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast.
For audiences, the experience is both electrifying and captivating – every second commands attention, you literally don’t want to blink. Unlike a traditional gallery setting, wearable art is completely alive. It moves, and it tells stories as models glide down the runway, embodying each artist’s vision. Feathers sway, metal shimmers, repurposed plastics ripple like silk. Every piece is revealed in a carefully choreographed moment designed to elicit absolute awe.
For those wanting to elevate their evening, the Art Lover’s Table – the Festival’s most sought-after ticket – offers a premium way to experience the show. Available as individual seats at tables of ten, it puts guests at the heart of the action, combining social fun with artistic immersion.
Your evening begins in the VIP Welcome Tipi with live jazz, roaming models and photo moments. Enjoy a cocktail and gourmet canapés before an exclusive backstage tour meeting artists and models, seeing wearable artworks up close, and witnessing the magic before it hits the runway. As the lights dim, take your seat with the best views in the house, two bottles of complementary champagne, artisan grazing boxes, and a decadent dessert platter served tableside, allowing you to fully enjoy the spectacle without moving a muscle – other than lifting your jaw when the show begins!
Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a first-time attendee, now is the time to secure your tickets. Early-bird tickets are sold-out, and round two tickets and Art Lover’s Tables are on sale – and they won’t last long. The Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort is also offering discounted accommodation for all ticketholders, so stay the night or make a weekend of it and kick up your heels!
Wearable art challenges the conventional – it’s art you can’t hang on your wall, intentionally. AWAF is not just an event; it’s a statement. It champions sustainability in a celebratory way, showcasing innovation without losing accessibility, proving that creativity flourishes when given a platform and a community who supports it.
Prepare to be surprised. Prepare to be inspired and prepare to see sustainability transformed into spectacle. This July, the runaway and a world of wonder awaits!
TICKETING INFO
Australian Wearable Art Festival 2026 Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, Twin Waters
• Matinee – Saturday, 11 July, 1pm
• Gala – Saturday, 11 July, 7pm
GENERAL ADMISSION
• $85 TO $210
ART LOVER’S TABLE + VIP EXPERIENCE
• $350 – includes welcome drink, canapes, VIP backstage tour, complementary champagne, grazing box + dessert platter.
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.australianwearableart.com.au
